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Breeding Range. (Fig. 45). A possibility of a recent breeding record was indicated in 1965 when one pair was reported nesting in the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in a place called "Big Bottom" or "Deer Bottom", located along the Little Missouri River arm of Lake Sakakawea (E. Thornyton).¹

During the 1800's, breeding populations were of regular occurrence along the Red River, in the vicinity of Devils Lake, and along the Missouri River. Isolated records of nesting also were reported at Lake Jessie in Griggs County in 1853 (Cooper 1859), in the Turtle Mountains in 1890 (Judd 1917), and near Kenmare in Ward County in 1893 (T. W. Burglehaus).

On August 7, 1861, Bald Eagles were numerous in the vicinity of Pembina, and nests "as large as a bushel basket" were observed in the tops of dead trees (White 1959). Along the Red River between Fargo and Pembina, Bald Eagles were frequent, and several nests were seen during the last week of May 1873; an adult was setting on one nest (Coues 1878). In the vicinity of Devils Lake, active nests were located in 1884 (C. W. Bowman), 1894 (Bryant 1895a), 1902 and 1903 (C. W. Bowman), and 1923 (E. Wilcox, Jr.). Along the Missouri River from Mandan to the Montana line, many nests were recorded in 1805 by the Lewis and Clark Expedition (Burroughs 1961, and Reid and Gannon 1927) and in 1843 by John J. Audubon (Audubon 1897). Later records of nesting along the Missouri were reported in McKenzie County prior to 1912 (Larson 1928) and in 1915 (R. Kellogg) and in McLean County in 1945 (T. Hecker).

Breeding Habitat. Breeding populations occurred in the vicinity of the larger rivers and lakes that were bordered with mature stands of trees.

Nesting. Probable breeding season: Early April to early August. Extreme egg dates (3 nests): April 29 [1902] to May 14 [1903] in Ramsey County (C. W. Bowman). On April 11, 1805, Lewis and Clark reported that "the eagle is now laying their eggs" along the Missouri River (Burroughs 1961). In late May 1873, an adult was observed setting on a nest along the Red River (Coues 1878). On June 6, 1843, adults were recorded alighting on a nest near the mouth of the Heart River, and on August 2, 1843, a nest containing one young was located near Fort Union (Audubon 1897).

In the Devils Lake area, two active nests in 1902 and 1903 (C. W. Bowman) and one active nest in 1923 (E. Wilcox, Jr.) were situated in bur oaks at heights ranging from 20 to 40 feet. Lewis and Clark observed many nests in the tall cottonwood trees along the Missouri River (Reid and Gannon 1927). Along the Red River, several nests were observed in the tops of tall isolated trees (Coues 1878).

Indicated clutch size (3 nests): 1 to 2 eggs; mean 1.7 eggs.

Figure 45. Breeding Range of Bald Eagle.

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